Fill cap



G. HUGHES Sept l, 1931.

FILL CAP Filed Dec.

Patented Sept. l, 1931 UNIT GEORGE HUGHEsQonTRoUr MILLsonrAnI-'CANADA i FILL CAP Application filed December 10, 1930.V Serial L.\1'o. 501,27* .l

The invention relates to improvements in fill caps as described in the presentV specification and shown in the accompanying drawings which form part of the same.

The invention has for its object-the production of an-efiicient and reliable closure for the gasoline tank of an automobile, al- 'though it is equally susceptible of use lfor manyother devicesvsuch as automobile radiators, and therefore it is Vnot intended that its application shall in any way'be restricted.

The invention comprehends a fill cap permanently attached to the filling tube in such a manner as to be readily' swung to one side thereof so as to uncover the opening. The

cap by swinging to one side does not interfere with the pouring of fluid and moreover when closed seals the opening against leakage. A very distinctive feature lies in the case and rapidity by which the cap is opened and closed. 4

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of a fill cap and filling tube to which the in- Vention is applied. v

Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the cap in an open position.

Figure 3 'is a Vertical cross section taken on ,the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a. cam

forming part of the mechanism of the in- Vention.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a follower plate. Figure 6 is a side view thereof. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sprmg that carries the follower plate.

Like numerals of reference indicate cor-V g g tpass therethrough'. The cam has two-spaced responding parts in each of the igures throughout the drawings of the inventlon.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, the reference numeral 8 designates the filling tube which may be of any suitable shape or design as also may be the fill cap 9 but which is shown as a disklike member. The cap is of a larger diameter than the tube and is pressed thereon to close its opening 10 as later explained in detail. It is preferable to supply the cap with a gasket 11 of somecustomary material for 5 precluding leakage, which gasket may be in `heads. The spring ljmay also be secured by.` these rivets byinserting it beneaththe cam the form of a ring' as shown attached in any I desirable manner to the cap.

Integral with or secured to the underface of the cap is a pair of spaced lugs 12, 12, in which is pivotedby a pin 13 the follower plate114 which has anfextension v15 parallel with and in close proximit-y to theunderface of the cap. This extension constitutes a finger, the use of which will later be explained. i i i The follower plate extends laterally and downwardly to the spring 16 to which it is pivoted by a pin 17 adjacent' to the bent end 18 that is preferably equipped with a roller 19 for engagement with the cam 20.

The follower plate may be constructed of a fiat pressed metal member having struck up sides that'form flanges apertured to take the pins. A stop 21 may be struck up to abut the camin order to limit the upward' movement of the follower. plate in opening the cap. j

The springjl consists of a flat piece of springvsteel rigidly secured against' the inner surface of the tube wall'in any desirablei manner. The spring is bowed as 'clearly shown from an inspection of VFigure 7 and has inwardly bent ends 22,22, terminating short of 'each other. Theextremities of the Vends are bent to composeV parallel lugs 23,14

23, apertured to take the pin 17.

The` cam 20is curved at 24 toconform` to the curvature of the-filling tube :towhich it is secured-by rivets 25 having countersunk and notching it atv26to permit the rivets to flanges 27,V 27, the edges 28 of'which form the guiding surfaces. The uppermost ,portions of the flanges are inclined as at 29leading downwardlyto sraight sections 30` that merge into outwardly curved portions 31, 31.

The roller 19 is resilientlyheld in-engagement with guidi'ng surfaces of the cam by means of-the tension of the spring 16.

From the foregoing it will be Impmifest that when the lid or cap is'closed4-Figure 1- :the roller by' its engagement`withthe inclined surfaces 29 of the cam forces the ,fol-1 loWer plate to press doWnWardly on the cap to tightly retain it on the filling tube. In opening the cap, as it is pulled upwardly the roller rides downwardly on the guiding` surfaces past dead centre of the spring pivot until it engages the curved guiding surfaces 31, 31, which reduce tension yet maintain the follower plate in a raised position With the stop 21 abutting the cam. In this open position, Figure 2, the cap is situatedto one side of the opening and cannot swing in- Wardly on the pivot pin 13 by reason of the finger 15. V

VVhat I claim is v 1. Ina device of the class described, a follower plate for pivotal attachment to the fill cap, supporting means for attachment to the interior of a filling tube, said supporting 'meansbeing pivoted-to said follower plate in the vicinity of the platels free end, and a cam for attachment to the interior of the filling tube to presentv a guiding surface engaged With the free end of the follower plate, said supporting means and said cam being relatively resilient so as to retain the 'free end of the follower plate in engagernent With the guiding surface.

'2. In a device of the class described, a

follower plate for pivotal attachment to the under face of the fill cap and the interior of a. filling,` tube so as to present a link connection therebetween, the pivov al connection of the folloWer plate to the filling tube being yieldable, a cam for attachment to the interior of thel filling tube, an angular element integral With said folloWer plate and engaged With said cam, and resilient means urging the angular element into engagevment With the cam.

3. In a device of the classldescribed, a follower plate for pivotal attachment to the V underface of the fill cap so as to extend laterally and doWnWardly therefrom, aspring for attachment to the interior of a fillinp,` tube, said spring being pivoted to the loWer part of the folloWer plate adjacent to its `free end, and a cam for interior attachment 1,-to the filling, tube and engaged by the free its free end, and a cam for interior attachend of the follower plate.

4. In a device of the class described, lugs projecting from the underside ofthe fill cap, a pin fitted therethrough, a follloiver plate pivoted to said lugs by said'pin and extended laterally and doWnWardly from the fill cap, a

spring for attachment to the interior of a4 filling tube, said spring being pivoted to the lower part of the folloWer plate adj acentto 1,s21,sos

vate Iends terminating short of each other, the

'erally and doivnivardly therefrom, a spring for attachment to the interior of a filling tube, said spring being pivoted to the lower part of the follower plate adjacent to its free end, and a stationary cam for interior' attachment to the filling tube, said cam having` a guiding` surface engaged by the free end of the folloiver plate and shaped to vary the tension of the spring in the movement of said free end.

7. In a device of the class described, a follower plate for pivotal attachment to the underface of the fill cap so as to extend laterally and downwardly therefrom, means thereon for limiting the pivotal movementin one direction, a spring for attachment to the interior of filling tube, said spring` being pivoted to the lower part of the follower plate adjacent to its free end, and a. cam for interior attachment to the filling tube and' engaed by the free end of the follower plate.

8. In a device of the class described, a fol- Vlower plate for pivotal attachment to the underface of the fill cap so as to exten'd laterally and downivardly therefrom, a limiting stop borne thereby, a spring for attachment to the interior of afilling tube, said spring beingpivoted to the lower part of the fol- UloWer plate adjacentto its free end, and a cam for interior attachment to the filling tube and engaged by the free end of the follower plate.

Signed at North Bay, Ontario, Canada, this fourth day of December, 1980.

GEO. HUGHES.

ment to the fillins; tube and engaged by the V free end of the follower plate.

5. In a device of the class described, a folloWer plate for pivotal'attachment to the i underface of the fill cap so asto extend laterspring lengthwise bovved and having incur- V ally and dovvnwardly therefrom, a fiat metal V 

